28 Sugar Cookie Recipes to Keep in Your Back Pocket

If you ask us, there's no wrong way to make a sugar cookie! We’re just as happy to bake a simple, sugar-rolled batch as we are to go crazy with the royal icing and sprinkles on the cutout version. That’s why we’ve developed a wide variety of recipes, allowing you to enjoy these classic cookies all throughout the year—and for every occasion. You’ll find plenty of holiday options here (including Halloween cookies and Thanksgiving cookies, too) as well as easy recipes you can make for lunchboxes, bake sales and more. No matter which type of cookie you prefer, this is the recipe to save if you like decorating. Our sugar dough is easy to roll and cut into all shapes and sizes—and the cookies hold their shape during baking. They come out firm and strong, perfect for piping decorations onto. We made them with a little less sugar, so feel free to load them up with icing and sprinkles. Their buttery crispness will still come through.

Delicious red velvet cake in cookie form? Yes, please!

This version of the sugar cookie has a slightly crispy edge and a super-chewy center, thanks to increasing the sugar and baking at a higher temperature. Roll the cookies in colored sugar for a festive, sparkly upgrade.

These sugar cookies are the chewiest you will find, and they're gluten free to boot! Rather than subbing all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, we used instant pudding mix (and rice and coconut flours) to give these cookies their gooey texture. You can even swap out vanilla for your own favorite pudding flavor, such as chocolate or caramel. The dough is equally ideal for making large rolled cookies or cutouts.